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Wolves Game Notes

April 29, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Mohegan Wolves News Release


QUICK FACTS:
Norfolk Nighthawks (0-3) vs. Mohegan Wolves (2-2)
Date: 5/4/02
Kickoff: 7:00 pm
Site: Norfolk Scope Arena- (8,965)
National Anthem: TBA
Coin Toss: TBA
Officials: William Fealey (Referee), Lou Hammond (Umpire), Terry Haney (Head Linesman), Dave Holland (Line Judge), Mel Plummer Jr. (Back Judge)
Radio: none
TV: none
Series Record: Wolves 1-0
Last Meeting: April 12, 2002
Streaks: Mohegan-Lost 1/Norfolk-Lost 3
Coaches: Gary Porter (9-11, 2nd Year)
Tony Missick (0-3, 1st Year

THE STAKES: This game stands to be huge in the playoff futures of each team. Coming off a loss to division rival New Haven the Wolves need to get back on track to stay in playoff contention. This non-divisional game is the last game before a six game divisional stretch which the Wolves face every other team in the Northeast Division. If the Wolves want to make a serious run at the playoffs this game will serve as a great tune up.

THE SERIES: The Mohegan Wolves beat the Norfolk Nighthawks in their only meeting by the score of 47-29 on April 12th, 2002. Offensive Specialist Brandon Burnside earned game MVP honors for his 2 touchdown, 7 reception 63 yard effort. FB/LB Kenyea Ware was named Ironman of the Game despite tearing his ACL and being lost for the season. DS Carlos McLaurin was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game. The Wolves held Norfolk to 172 yards of total offense on the night.

THE IFs:

If Mohegan defeats Norfolk, it would ...
· Give Mohegan 2-0 series record with Norfolk
· Give Mohegan 2-1 road record in 2002
· Give the Wolves a 2-0 non-divisional record
· Give Head Coach Gary Porter a 3-2 record as a coach of the Wolves and a 10-11 overall record as an af2 coach
· Give Wolves Head Coach Gary Porter a 2-0 lifetime record vs. Norfolk
· Give Wolves Head Coach Gary Porter a 2-0 lifetime record vs. Nighthawks Head Coach Tony Missick
· Give the Wolves a 3-2 conference record
· Give the Wolves their third win in franchise history

HEAD COACHES: In just his second season as head coach, Gary Porter leads his second expansion team into af2 play. Last season he led the expansion Peoria Pirates to a 7-9 record. The Pirates had the top-rated run defense in af2. Porter played in the Arena Football League in 1997 as a Quarterback for the Texas Terror. Tony Missick was named the Nighthawks head coach on November 5, 2001. Missick held the position of defensive coordinator for the team in 2001 and led them to #4 in total defense in af2. Prior to coming to the Nighthawks, Missick held coaching positions with the Richmond Speed (2000), Virginia Union University and University of Kentucky. Missick played three years in the Arena Football League after spending the 1993 season with the Philadelphia Eagles.

LAST SERIES MEETING: The Wolves defeated the Nighthawks 47-29 on April 12th. It was first win in Wolves franchise history.

SERIES NOTABLES: Brandon Burnside: Game MVP, 7 receptions 63 yards, 2 touchdowns-1 receiving, 1 returning...Cable Davis: 19-31 211 yards, 4 touchdowns to 4 different receivers...Carlos McLaurin: ADT Defensive Player of the Game, 3.5 tackles, 3 passes defended, 1 interception...Jeff Cogell: 1 sack...Heron O'Neal: 1 interception, 2 passes defended

FAMILIAR FACES: The Nighthawks faced the Cape Fear Wildcats on opening night and were defeated 69-19. The Wolves will play Cape Fear on June 28th at the Mohegan Sun Arena. The Nighthawks also were defeated by the Richmond Speed last weekend by the score of 75-12. The Wolves will travel to Richmond on June 22nd to take on the 1st place Speed.

THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:

Head Coach Gary Porter on last week's game vs. New Haven:

"We didn't show up. We traveled an hour down the road to lay an egg. I'm so disappointed in our effort that I can't even explain it."

Head Coach Gary Porter on this week's game vs. Norfolk:

"If we play as poorly as we did against New Haven we are going to be in a dog fight. They are 0-3, we are coming off a terrible showing, and we are playing them at their place and that scares the hell out of me. We will re-focus our team this week and our effort and execution will improve tremendously."

MILESTONES:

· OS Brandon Burnside became the first player in Mohegan Wolves history to return a kick for a touchdown (56 yards) vs. Norfolk on 4/12
· FB/LB Kenyea Ware recorded the first rushing touchdown in franchise history with a 1 yard plunge versus Norfolk on 4/12
· QB Cable Davis threw the first completion as well as touchdown in franchise history. That happened on the same play, which was the opening offensive play in team history. He hooked up with Brandon Burnside from 33 yards out for the first touchdown in franchise history versus the expansion Albany Conquest on 4/5
· OL/DL Pete Govens recorded the first sack in team history vs. the Conquest on 4/5
· WR/LB Melvin Phillips recorded the first interception in team history vs. Albany on 4/5
· QB Cable Davis became the first 300 yard passer in franchise history with his 357 yard effort versus Rochester on 4/19
· WR/DB Brent Burnside became the first 100 yard receiver in franchise history with 9 receptions for 172 yards against Rochester on April 19th
· Brent Burnside recorded the second 100 yard receiving game in team history vs. New Haven on 4/27, he caught 6 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown
· Twin brothers Brent and Brandon Burnside have each caught a touchdown pass in every game in Mohegan Wolves history

DROPBACK: The Wolves lost to New Haven 51-38 for their first road loss in franchise history. The Wolves had 5 turnovers and almost as many penalty yards as New Haven had total yards in the defeat. Starting QB Cable Davis missed most of the second half with a hand injury but is expected to play next week.

FORWARD MOTION: The Wolves will return home to take on the 1st place Albany Conquest. Albany defeated Mohegan in both teams first game by the score of 29-14. It will be the first of two home games. The Wolves welcome the 2nd place Rochester Brigade to town on the 17th of May.

TEAM NOTES/TRENDS:

From Heron Out: Defensive Specialist Heron O'Neal looks to continue the success that he had the previous two seasons with the Milwaukee Mustangs. As a two year started in the AFL Heron recorded 3 interceptions to with 100 tackles and 2 touchdowns. Heron had 4 tackles in his Wolves debut. O'Neal recorded his first af2 interception against Norfolk while defending 2 passes as well. Heron added a key forced fumble late in the game against Rochester to help seal the victory. He also recorded 2 tackles and defended one pass. Against New Haven Heron had a tackle, a fumble recovery and two passes defended.

Three for the Road: The Wolves will take their inaugural road trip facing: Rochester (2-2), New Haven (1-3) and Norfolk (0-3). On the current road trip the Wolves are 1-1 after beating Rochester and losing to New Haven. The Wolves will not return home again until May 10th when they welcome the Albany Conquest for a return match-up and what Mohegan hopes is a chance to move into first place.

Burning up the Turf: Brent and Brandon Burnside look to have the same impact on the Mohegan Wolves that they did with Tulsa. In 2000 Brandon had 120 receptions for 1721 yards and 33 touchdowns for the Talons while Brent had 54 receptions for 623 yards and 11 touchdowns as well as 45 tackles and 6 interceptions. Brent and Brandon both recorded a receiving touchdown in their Wolves debut. The twins matched their opening night effort with each brother hauling in a touchdown catch. Brandon also added a kickoff return for a touchdown. The trend continued against Rochester when both brothers recorded more than one touchdown: Brent had 3 while Brandon recorded 2 in only one half of play. The twins did it again with both scoring touchdowns versus New Haven. Brent had 6 receptions for 101 yards while Brandon had 4 receptions for 48 yards against the Ninjas.

Top Tackler: Defensive Specialist Carlos McLaurin is a two time defending ADT Defensive Player of the Game. He has led the team in tackles in each of the first four games and currently ranks 6th in the league with 26 tackles. Carlos was named Built Ford Tough Player of the Game for his 7 tackle effort against New Haven.

Kicking it into Gear: After a shaky start Kicker Charles Eger knocked in 3 field goals against his former team Rochester. Charlie added another field goal against New Haven as well as 3 extra points.

PLAYERS/MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

Wolves DS Heron O'Neal: Heron enters his first af2 game with two years of AFL experience under his belt. He stands to be one of the most dominant defensive specialists in the entire af2.

Nighthawks OS Gary Briggs: Briggs led the Nighthawks in the first meeting vs. Mohegan. He recorded 6 receptions for 84 yards and 2 touchdowns against a stingy Wolves defense.

Wolves OL/DL Jeff Cogell: Jeff returns to arena football after 3 years off. Cogell played for the New York City Hawks in 1999 and appears to be one of the dominant pass rushers on this year's squad.

Nighthawks Offensive Line: In the first meeting Norfolk QB Roy Johnson was constantly on the move after being flushed out of the pocket. Norfolk will have to contain the Wolves rush to give Jackson time to find his receivers.

KEY DATES IN TEAM HISTORY:

· July 19th, 2001: Mohegan Sun Arena and Dr. Eric Margenau announce agreement to bring af2 to southeastern Connecticut
· Nov. 1st, 2001: 1st Season Tickets sold, Margaret Lidden becomes first Wolves Season Ticket holder
· Dec. 12th, 2001: Team Name and logo unveiled
· Dec. 12th, 2001: Jeff Cogell, Randy Hart, Greg Gildea and Mike Thomas become first Mohegan Wolves assignees
· Jan. 5th, 2002: Team Holds Inaugural Player tryout
· Jan. 14th, 2002: Wolves sign Andy Macaione, Heron O'Neal, Daniel Porter
· Jan. 25th, 2002: Wolves sign Kevin Carty, and Mondez Haire
· Jan. 28th, 2002: Wolves Hold Inaugural Cheerleader Tryouts at Stashes Café on Super Bowl Sunday
· Feb. 5th, 2002: Wolves sign Mike Zawilinski, Edwin Moore, Gary Bolden, Anthony Giovingo, and Bryan Sparacino
· Feb. 17th, 2002: Wolves hold second cheer leader audition
· Feb. 20th, 2002: Wolves sign James Duckett, Carl Wisnieski, Pete Govens, Antron Peebles, Alex Sepulveda, Isaiah Holloway, and Brian Shubin
· Feb. 27th, 2002: Wolves sign Carlos McLaurin, Mike Summers, Troy Davidson, and Brian Hegnauer
· Mar. 1st, 2002: Single Game Tickets go on sale at Mohegan Sun Box Office as well as tickets.com
· Mar 7th, 2002: Opening night April 5th vs. the Albany Conquest dubbed "Pride of America Night"
· Mar 19th, 2002: First practice in Mohegan Wolves history, held at Workout World in Waterford
· April 5th, 2002: The Wolves drop the inaugural game in team history to the Albany Conquest by the score of 29-14
· April 12th, 2002: Wolves win their first game in team history by defeating the Norfolk Nighthawks 47-29 at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
· April 19th, 2002: Wolves win their first road game in franchise history by defeating the Rochester Brigade 54-45.
· April 27th, 2002: Wolves lose their first road game in team history to the New Haven Ninjas 51-38. They also lost possession of the "Constitution Cup" a traveling trophy that goes to the winner of each Ninja/Wolves game

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